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Detectives said there was no identification on the body, described as a white man in his late 30s, and there were signs of trauma. The body was discovered by church workers at about 7:15 a.m. on the grass outside the church offices, next to knee-high shrubs.

An official with the Medical Examiner's Office removed the body for an autopsy. Police officials said late Friday the cause of death had not been determined, but they said the man did not die from a gunshot or stab wound.

Police were not releasing the man's name, pending notification of family.

Bobby Deriso, director of the church's preschool, said two teachers who carpool pulled into the parking lot in front of the church office and saw the body. One teacher stood by the car while the other went and got Deriso. Deriso said she went outside near the man and saw that he appeared to be motionless. She said she instructed a third teacher to call 911.

Deriso said the man definitely was not moving and she could see some blood on his head.

She that within two minutes, an unmarked Marion County Sheriff's Office car pulled up, followed by an officer with the Ocala Police Department.

OPD closed Southeast 11th Avenue between Fort King Street and East Silver Springs Boulevard for several hours while detectives worked at the scene.

Anyone with information about the case can call OPD at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can text "ocalapd" and a tip to TIP411.

<p>The Ocala Police Department is investigating a suspicious death after a body was found early Friday on the property of First United Methodist Church at 40 SE 11th Ave.</p><p>Detectives said there was no identification on the body, described as a white man in his late 30s, and there were signs of trauma. The body was discovered by church workers at about 7:15 a.m. on the grass outside the church offices, next to knee-high shrubs.</p><p>An official with the Medical Examiner's Office removed the body for an autopsy. Police officials said late Friday the cause of death had not been determined, but they said the man did not die from a gunshot or stab wound.</p><p>Police were not releasing the man's name, pending notification of family.</p><p>Bobby Deriso, director of the church's preschool, said two teachers who carpool pulled into the parking lot in front of the church office and saw the body. One teacher stood by the car while the other went and got Deriso. Deriso said she went outside near the man and saw that he appeared to be motionless. She said she instructed a third teacher to call 911.</p><p>Deriso said the man definitely was not moving and she could see some blood on his head.</p><p>She that within two minutes, an unmarked Marion County Sheriff's Office car pulled up, followed by an officer with the Ocala Police Department.</p><p>OPD closed Southeast 11th Avenue between Fort King Street and East Silver Springs Boulevard for several hours while detectives worked at the scene.</p><p>Anyone with information about the case can call OPD at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can text "ocalapd" and a tip to TIP411.</p><p><I>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>